Call to Action on Eve of National Day of the Horse
HORSEPOWER
People Organizing for the Well-being of Equines and their Rights
Contact: Karin Carreau, Chair
HORSEPOWER, INC.
518-339-0765
ALBANY, NY: December 13th is National Day of the Horse and as such, equine welfare advocates across the state are calling upon the Governor to finally sign two important bills that passed months ago. One, a measure to ban the sale or transfer of equines bound for slaughter and the other, a measure to increase the penalties for auction houses attempting to sell ill or injured equidae.
The anti-slaughter bill, S.2163 / A. 5109 comes at a time when the debate rages in Washington DC, to permanently ban the practice of horse slaughter and close the loophole that allows for the transportation of horses to Mexico and Canada for exactly those purposes. While horse slaughter facilities are no longer allowed to operate in the United States (since 2007 due to provisions included in the annual appropriations legislation, prohibiting the use of federal funds to inspect them), such directives only apply on an annual fiscal year and must be renewed every twelve months by Congress. In 2021, New York outlawed the sale or transport of thoroughbred and standardbred horses for the purposes of slaughter, a strong first step, however, this follow up legislation will make implementation of the original law more effective, as it is difficult for officers stopping a trailer headed to the border to determine what breed each equine is. Signing this bill will also clearly make NY a leader in this issue area.
Strong support for such an Act exists. According to the Animal Welfare Institute, “Americans overwhelmingly support an end to horse slaughter for human consumption (recent polls from Kentucky, Texas and Utah respectively show that 82, 72 and 69 percent of those questioned oppose the practice). A recent national poll found that almost 70 percent of Americans support a federal ban. In California, a 1998 ballot initiative (Prop. 6) banning horse slaughter for human consumption passed with 60 percent of the vote.” This bill once passed will, once again, result in New York serving as a leader in outlawing the practice of loading dozens of horses on trailer, with no rest, no food, no water, for long journeys, only to be met with a barbaric, inhumane, and extraordinarily painful slaughtering.
The Assembly member and sponsor of the bill, Deborah Glick noted that “for 19 years, I have worked to prohibit the buying, selling, and transportation of horses for the purpose of slaughter in New York,” said Assemblymember Deborah Glick, “Horses are elegant animals that are cherished to many New Yorkers, from farmers to equestrians. Just last year, Governor Hochul signed appropriate legislation for the retirement of thoroughbred horses. The Governor needs to continue that work by joining with the legislature and the many advocates to end the slaughter pipeline and the inhumane treatment of these noble creatures by signing A.5109A/ S.2163B to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human or animal consumption in New York State.”
The auction bill S.1677 / A 3552 is a measure to protect horses, donkey and mules. Every year, thousands of horse auctions are held in the United States, attracting farmers, ranchers, pleasure-horse owners, riding stable operators, and unfortunately - slaughterhouse buyers. The equines run the gamete between healthy young thoroughbreds to broken-down old mules. The healthy ones may be fortunate enough to be purchased as inexpensive riding horses and ponies. However, some are too old, sick, lame, or neglected to work in any manner without violating the State law against cruelty to animals. As a result, many of these horses become victims of killer buyers at auction.
Some horses who are particularly malnourished are purchased by middlemen, who take them home, fatten them up, and return them to the auction for sale at a profit to the kill buyers. These animals may change hands repeatedly before they ultimately end up at the slaughterhouse door.
Despite the fact that the-last slaughterhouse in the United States shuttered operations in 2007, horse slaughter remains a pernicious and inhumane issue in the U.S. Since 2015, over 350,000 horses have been shipped over our borders to Mexico and Canada for slaughter by "kill buyers."
Such horses are often shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest, and suffer horribly along the way. In calling for the Governor to sign the measure, Assembly Sponsor, Gary Pretlow, Chair of the Racing and Wagering Committee, pointed out that “the violation for auctioneers to accept abused or neglected horses has not been updated since 1965 and as such, stands at only a fine of $5. Such a paltry amount does not act as a deterrent to off-loading ill and injured animals. We must do better.”
Karin Carreau – Spencer, Founder and Chair of HORSEPOWER, noted that “equines have, for centuries, benefited the world and served to advance humankind. It is impossible to think about our lives today without gratitude for their service and usefulness and wonderment at their astonishing speed, agility, power, and gracefulness. Yet for all their value and the joy they bring to us, equines and their kin often suffer from inhumane treatment by the very industries they benefit. The NY state legislature has proven to be a leader in equine welfare, we urge the Governor to enact these life saving measures.”
Susan McDonough, from the NYS Humane Association Legislative Committee said “As a retired NYS Trooper of 26 years. I had the opportunity to pull trucks over that were loaded with horses being shipped to Canada for slaughter. It wasn’t uncommon to see stallions, foals, and injured horses all crammed into crowded, sub- standard vans. My investigations also revealed that horses often did not have access to food or water for days. Animal advocates are very appreciative of your demonstrated concern for horses by signing a law in 2021 that prohibited racehorses from being sold for slaughter. We are now urging you again to show your commitment to all of our cherished horses by signing these critical bills into law.”
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